Perhaps it was thanks to the bond formed during World War II, or maybe because of the evidence provided from the rescue of Namor, but despite his quirky personality that bordered on effeminate, Namor divulged the location of Atlan to Monac after exchanging quite a few harsh words through magical communication.
Su Ming did not show himself; the exchanges were entirely handled by Monac, as it was better if Namor didn't know his true identity.
Just like Dracula said, Atlan is currently located in the Atlantic Ocean, but not underwater, rather it's airborne.
They possess very advanced technology, allowing the entire city to remain hidden in the clouds during an era without satellites. From below, it might resemble a nascent tropical cyclone.
Who pays attention to the size of a cloud? Let alone a Cloud City, every adult knows that tales of Santa Claus are not true.
According to Namor, if any debris from Atlan falls into the sea or if the city crashes and causes a tsunami, he will ensure it's not over with Monac.
Su Ming merely chuckled at such harmless threats, confident that he could reassemble it if needed, just as easily as disassemble it.
So after fooling Namor, Su Ming quickly signaled Monac to cut the magical communication and opened a Teleportation Gate for him and Hel.
"Splash."
"Splash."
The two of them were immersed in the seawater.
There was no choice; the coordinates given by Namor pointed to Atlantis below the water, with Atlan overhead. Su Ming needed to assess the situation before boldly venturing into the city.
"December, a perfect season for winter swimming; this water temperature reminds me of your Netherworld," Su Ming patted his cloak and grasped Hel's hand, causing them to float.
"Netherworld doesn't have water," Hel replied bluntly, the soaking fabric clinging tight to her skin making her uncomfortable.
As they continued ascending, Su Ming scrutinized the clouds above, indeed perceiving something hazy hidden within the mist.
"If I'm not mistaken, Namor might have already sold us out," Su Ming muttered, as they breached the clouds and clung onto the large rock beneath, realizing the city was anchored to this Floating Island.
Several massive contraptions resembling propulsion systems were spewing cloud-like gases, allowing this island to remain airborne.
Hel wasn't surprised; she drove a black spiral into the rock, flipping herself onto a horizontal bar and began swinging like on a swing.
"I guessed correctly, since Atlan is neighboring Atlantis, it suggests a good relationship; that Undersea Person showed us the location to avoid owing you a favor, yet as allies, he surely passed on information regarding Warlocks searching for Inhumans," she observed.
"That's why I didn't charge straight into the city; I want to make some preparations here," Su Ming explained while flying aside, retrieving items from his backpack.
Hel was unfamiliar with those red tube-like objects, but humans would definitely recognize them as detonators, a type of explosive.
Often, these items are used to blast open mountains and stones for construction, thus positioning them appropriately ensures considerable power.
Now beneath this vast island, resembling propulsion systems, there were dozens of gigantic circular nozzles where Su Ming needed to strategically position remote-controlled explosives.
If these explosives detonated, the island would lose equilibrium, consequently toppling into the sea, smashing onto Atlantis.
Regardless of negotiation failure or interference from Undersea People, Su Ming was ready to resolve it with the remote control.
As Hel watched him placing the explosives, unexpectedly a loud explosion echoed, as if dangerously close, startling both of them.
For a moment, Su Ming suspected the remote fuses he brought from DC had expired, yet the detonators just got installed, and the fuses hadn't even been attached.
The explosion came from right above them, extremely close.
Hel turned her head to discern; she seemed to hear shouting, sensing the passage of life.
"Someone died above."
Su Ming finished his task, dusting off his hands: "You noticed even through the unknown thickness of rock? Which spot?"
"Right above me," Hel, seated on the bar, pointed above her head.
"Let's drill through here," Su Ming decided, pulling out the Godslayer.
...
Excavation didn't proceed smoothly, as the rocks appeared to be reinforced using superpowers, even the sharpness of the Godslayer felt akin to escaping with a spoon.
But, utilizing a spoon depends on the wielder; with Strangulation and Su Ming exerting force simultaneously, a circular tunnel quickly emerged.
Su Ming reached out, joining Hel, and they poked their heads out from the ground.
"You mentioned only someone died, not a massacre."
His palm felt the sticky fluid, flipping himself upward, transforming the Godslayer into a scimitar.
Meanwhile, Hel leisurely crawled up, cautious of snagging her dress: "Whether one dies or a thousand, it makes no difference to me."
The room was chaotic, the lighting shattered beyond repair, yet through night lenses, Su Ming discerned numerous bodies, their blood flowing through the dug tunnel as though finding a drain.
"Almost all the deceased here are pregnant women; this is Atlan's fetal care center," Su Ming noted upon inspecting a corpse, evidently died from supernatural powers, like they were frozen in a casket.
The room was expansive like a plaza, with walls and floor made from silver-white metal, evoking futuristic and sci-fi vibes.
Now, the array of equipment resembled post-typhoon debris, only a few were sporadically sparking or screens flickering.
"This place suffered a military assault," Hel also glanced at the bodies, giving her assessment: "Hundreds died almost simultaneously from varied abilities; I can't think of any other explanation."
Su Ming agreed; judging from the corpse distribution, they spread across the room, some even hidden in cabinets or under tables.
However, they were found and killed, the lower half of their bodies dangling limply from their hiding spots.
Time was short, but a glance allowed Su Ming to identify dozens of marks on the bodies, ranging from common elemental damage to various external injuries, their expressions shockingly bewildered as if stunned by something.
"Awaken a corpse," Su Ming instructed Hel; questioning the victims was the simplest way to know the perpetrator.
Hel inhaled lightly, savoring the familiar scent of blood, and raised a hand, releasing Black Smoke to seek a corpse with an intact brain.
Soon, from a nearby rubble, a silhouette staggered towards them.
As she approached, Su Ming couldn't help touching his nose, in dark humor terms, she's an 'O' shaped person.
Below her neck and above her pelvis, utterly obliterated by massive Energy, vanished entirely, a gaping hole replaced her chest and abdomen.
Blood-red esophagus and trachea, and splintered bone shards dangled conspicuously like severed cables, dripping fluid oozing everywhere.
As she arrived, the former body's owner advanced step by step, eyes glowing green fire.